How to Fix the Missing Log Browser in VCSA 7

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the issue of the missing log browser in VMware vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) 7.

VMware vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) is a pre-configured Linux-based virtual machine that provides the vCenter Server functionality. VCSA 7 is the latest version of the appliance that offers improved performance, scalability, and security features.

One of the useful features of VCSA is the log browser, which allows you to view and download various logs from the appliance and the vSphere environment. The log browser can help you troubleshoot issues, monitor the health and performance of the system, and audit the activities of the users and administrators.

However, some users have reported that the log browser is missing in VCSA 7, even after following the official guide to enable the log browser plug-in. In this article, we will explain why the log browser is missing, and how to fix it using a simple workaround.

Why is the Log Browser Missing in VCSA 7?

The reason why the log browser is missing in VCSA 7 is that the log browser folder is not present in the plugin-packages directory of the vSphere Client. This is a known issue that has been reported by many users, and it has not been fixed in the latest updates of VCSA 7.

The log browser folder contains the plugin-package.xml file, which is required to register and display the log browser plug-in in the vSphere Web Client. Without this file, the vSphere Web Client does not recognize the log browser plug-in, and therefore does not show it under the Monitor tab.

How to Fix the Missing Log Browser in VCSA 7?

The workaround to fix the missing log browser in VCSA 7 is to manually copy the log browser folder from a previous version of VCSA, such as VCSA 6.7, and paste it in the plugin-packages directory of the vSphere Client in VCSA 7. This will restore the plugin-package.xml file, and enable the log browser plug-in in the vSphere Web Client.

To perform this workaround, you will need the following:

• A VCSA 6.7 appliance with the log browser plug-in enabled
• A VCSA 7 appliance with SSH access enabled
• A SCP client, such as WinSCP or PuTTY

The steps to fix the missing log browser in VCSA 7 are as follows:

Step 1: Copy the Log Browser Folder from VCSA 6.7

1. Log in to the VCSA 6.7 appliance using the SCP client
2. Navigate to the /usr/lib/vmware-vsphere-client/plugin-packages directory
3. Locate and select the logbrowser folder
4. Copy the folder to your local machine

Step 2: Paste the Log Browser Folder to VCSA 7

1. Log in to the VCSA 7 appliance using the SCP client
2. Navigate to the /usr/lib/vmware-vsphere-client/plugin-packages directory
3. Paste the logbrowser folder that you copied from VCSA 6.7
4. Verify that the folder contains the plugin-package.xml file

Step 3: Restart the VMware Service Lifecycle Manager API Service

1. Log in to the VCSA 7 appliance using the vSphere Web Client
2. Navigate to the vCenter Server instance
3. Select the Configure tab
4. Under Settings, select General
5. Click Edit
6. Select Logging settings
7. Select the logging options
8. Click SAVE
9. Restart the VMware Service Lifecycle Manager API service

Step 4: Verify that the Log Browser is Enabled

1. Log in to the VCSA 7 appliance using the vSphere Web Client
2. Navigate to the vCenter Server instance
3. Select the Monitor tab
4. Verify that the Log Browser tab is present and functional

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What are the benefits of using the log browser in VCSA 7?

Answer: The log browser in VCSA 7 can help you with the following tasks:

• View and download logs from the VCSA appliance, such as boot, system, network, and application logs
• View and download logs from the vSphere environment, such as host, cluster, datastore, and virtual machine logs
• Filter and search logs by keywords, time range, severity, and component
• Export logs to a ZIP file or a remote syslog server

Question: What are the alternatives to using the log browser in VCSA 7?

Answer: If you do not want to use the log browser in VCSA 7, you can use the following alternatives:

• Use the vSphere Client command-line interface (CLI) to view and download logs from the VCSA appliance and the vSphere environment
• Use the vSphere Client GUI to view and download logs from the vSphere environment
• Use the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) to view and download logs from the VCSA appliance

Question: How can I report the issue of the missing log browser in VCSA 7 to VMware?

Answer: You can report the issue of the missing log browser in VCSA 7 to VMware by using the following methods:

• Submit a support request through the VMware Customer Connect portal
• Post a question or feedback on the VMware vCenter Community forum
• Contact VMware Technical Support by phone or chat

Summary

In this article, we have explained why the log browser is missing in VCSA 7, and how to fix it using a simple workaround. We have also provided some FAQs related to the topic, and some references for further reading.

We hope that this article has helped you to troubleshoot and fix the issue of the missing log browser in VCSA 7. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and the publisher are not liable for any damages or losses that may result from the use of the information or instructions in this article. The user is responsible for verifying the accuracy and validity of the information and instructions before applying them. The user is also responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of the software and services mentioned in this article.